Erika Ann Kirtoglou Writer/Motivational Speaker Erika@SurvivingDancer.org Erika Kirtoglou has had extensive and immediate involvement with traumatic brain injury (TBI.) Her tragic experience happened on August 15, 1993. She was in an automobile accident, resulting in her head injury.  Kirtoglou has been involved with extensive rehabilitation as a result of her injury. Her recovery is amazing and unexplainable, according to most professionals. Kirtoglou has regained most of her functions, the ability to drive, and has even earned both a BA and a MA in English, Writing.  She also successfully organized a fundraiser that raised over $16,000 for the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS.) Kirtoglou earned a Bachelors of Art from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, in Steubenville, Ohio. She finished her Bachelors degree in December of 2000, and in the summer of 2001 she began graduate studies at The College of St. Rose, in Albany, New York. For the final project for her Masters degree, in English, Writing, Kirtoglou wrote a memoir of her experience with TBI, I’m going to Dance. After graduating in December of 2002, Kirtoglou included more information, added new chapters, and because of an article written about her story, in March 2003, Kirtoglou was contacted by Michael Muller, a dance instructor and offered private lessons.  She then documented her dancing experiences.  The fundraiser that Erika created, The First Annual Surviving Dancers’ Fundraising Flurry: Making Dreams Come True was held on Saturday, March 25th, 2006, and it created a perfect ending to her story.  Kirtoglou is currently involved in writing the screenplay and has a connection to an interested director, Kevin Craig West.  Kirtoglou has been involved with giving motivational/inspirational speeches for individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injuries. She also attended an advocacy training offered by the Brain Injury Association of New York State.   Kirtoglou briefly worked at a dance studio as part of the office management team. There, she was able to get exposure to a passion of hers, dancing, and future material to use for her interest and love -writing.  Kirtoglou's book was available at the fundraiser. She knows that there is a vast audience for her memoir, as, according to The Center of Disease Control, traumatic brain injury is the leading killer and disabler of our nation’s children and young adults. In addition, Kirtoglou is confident that many individuals, even those who have not sustained a TBI, will enjoy, appreciate, and be comforted by her book. Kirtoglou’s writing style is unique and unconventional, thus, appealing to many readers.   In her unoccupied seconds, Ms. Kirtoglou enjoys artful activities: reading, cooking, photography, sewing, designing scrapbooks, and assembling fashionable statements by emphasizing accessories, as well as painting and decorating.  CONTACT INFORMATION: Erika@SurvivingDancer.org